Global ratings agency Moody’s warned Thursday (25 August) that an escalating constitutional crisis in Poland is threatening to hurt investment in the EU’s largest eastern economy and could affect its credit rating.

Moody’s pointed to a probe launched by prosecutors last week against the Constitutional Court’s chief justice and the refusal of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government to recognise the top court’s rulings.

“This is credit negative for Poland because it escalates a constitutional crisis that began late last year and will likely increase tensions with the European Union, with a higher risk of further impairing Poland’s investment climate,” Moody’s said in a statement.

Like other European nations, Poland will remain a source of conflicting messages in years to come. But the EU has nothing to worry about – the democratic government in place can be removed in a peaceful manner next time people come to vote, writes Piotr Macej Kaczyński.